Since I see no other forms of classificaion under 'fiction' (aside from the other categories in the main menu), I'm just going to jump right in!
The Da Vinci Code
By: Dan Brown
Reading Completed: January 3, 2004
Summary from Doubleday:
"While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call..." [Click to see full summary]
Corey's Review: 4 1/2
This was a great book. That's really all there is to say and I am painfully aware that everyone else in the universe is saying the same thing. In retrospect, the
memory kind of fades and I remember it as less-than-outstanding (still great, of course), but my initial reaction to the book upon completion was stunned pleasure. I
think that my current memories are somewhat tainted with the research I did afterwards about the author, Dan Brown. I discovered that all his other books are, in short,
exactly the same book with different characters--or, in the case of Angels and Demons, the same characters--and a new setting. This was very disappointing. But
this book is great! There are millions of twists and turns and so much research was done to make it all real! This book made me want to become expert at something,
like the fictional Robert Langdon. I love books that inspire me to do something and this book certainly did. This is a great book for anyone who is in the mood for heart-
stopping action and who has a lot of time because you won't be able to put this one down! [Click to see what others said]
Ruled Britannia
By: Harry Turtledove
Reading Completed: January 30, 2004
Summary from the New American Library:
"The year is 1597. For nearly decade, the island of Britain has been under the rule of King Philip in the name of Spain..." [Click to see full summary]
Corey's Review: 4
A surprisingly plotless yet gripping book. The book had very much the same plot on page 89 as it was on page 289. But somehow, Mr. Turtledove manages to keep the reader
intranced. It was an extremely good read, especially if you are a fan of Shakespeare. There are these little "in-jokes" smattered throughout the work that I found highly amusing. This
is a very cleverly paced and written book and one that I recomment to all history and literature lovers. [Click to see what others said]
River God
By: Wilbur Smith
Reading Completed: February 19, 2004
Summary from St. Martin's Paperbacks:
"Ancient Egypt. Land of the Pharaohs. A kingdom built on gold. A legend shattered by greed..." [Click to see full summary]
Corey's Review: 4
This was an extremely interesting book. It was not only informative--I learned a few things about ancient Egypt--but had a great plot and characters to move it along! While this isn't
one of the best books I've ever read, it kept me interested and was, at worst, a really good book. I don't really know what to say about it, but it was a great book that I could recommend
to anyone (it was given to me by my friend G for my birthday so that's a double-recommendation!). [Click to see what other said]
Pirates! In an adventure with Scientists
By: Gideon Defoe
Reading Competed: December 11, 2004
Amazon.com link:
Click here
Corey's Review: 5!
That's right, an enthused five! Anyway, this book was absolutely wonderful in every sense of the word. It was hysterical; every other line had me laughing aloud and reciting the line
to my hapless roommate. (Fortunately, she shared my sense of humor in regards to the book so she wasn't too peeved by it.) In my opinion, there is nothing better than humorous pirates and
this book certainly delivered the goods. It is regrettably short, but that almost adds to the charm. As Eric Idle described it, it's "pirate comic fiction." Good stuff! [Click here to see what others said]
Angels and Demons
By: Dan Brown
Reading Completed: December 24, 2004
Amazon.com link:
Click here
Corey's Review: 4
I am increasingly less-impressed with Dan Brown. I cannot give any reasons to why this should be so, but it simply is. Most likely it is nothing other than his new-found popularity since
this was a perfectly good book. This in, in truth, an understatement. It was a very good book but I just cannot be enthused with it. There is something that I can't quite place that
didn't make me love this book as it deserves. In as unenthusiastically a way as possible, I shall say that this was a wonderfully written book with enough twists and turns to make even the
pickiest reader pleased. At only one did I honestly say "I so saw that coming," which is a pleasant occurance. I just don't know what to say. It really was a good book I just can't be
enthused about it. Sorry! [Click to see what others said...hopefully something more happy than this pathetic review]
The Skystone
Volume One of The Camulod Chronicles
By: Jack Whyte
Reading Completed: April 28, 2005
Amazon.com link:
Click here
Corey's Review: 5
An excellent volume of historical fiction! I've been pretty pathetic about my reading lately (and by that I mean "not reading at all") so this was a beautiful welcome back to the world of
the literary. I found it whilst paroozing the shelves at Forbes Library after getting a craving to read after my months away. While looking for some Edith Wharton, I came across this instead
and I'm glad I did. I don't know how historically accurate it really is, but it felt completely true. I know there obviously isn't a Colony, per se, but the rest seemed believeable enough. Since
it is a series, I can only assume that is why the ending was a bit rushed/weak but I've found that endings in books are often thus. Given that, it was still a pretty good ending, leaving both room
for continuation and relative closure. Wonderful characters, interesting plot and history! What could be better? [Click to see what others said]
The Geographer's Library
By: Jon Fasman
Reading Completed: July 16, 2005
Amazon.com link:
Click here
Corey's Review: 5
This is, quite simply, a fabulous book. Not only is this a fabulous book, but it has quite possibly the most likeable protagonist I have found in quite some time. I bought this book in an
airport in London under the pretense that it would be something like "The Da Vinci Code" (I can't really tell where this conteption camefrom). As it turned out, this book was quite superior
to that popular narrative and just as different. True enough it deals with a centries old secret socieyt and a history that leaves you wondering just how much is real na dhow must is invention.
Nevertheless, this first work of Mr. Fasman is superbly done and I eagerly await forthcoming stories from him.
Click here to see my extended review.
|
|
|
|